We shouldn't be surprised by Pardew's actions, he's got previous, and so do Newcastle United's coaching staff, writes Robbie Savage

No butts: Alan Pardew was wrong, and was luck not to be fired, says Sav (Photo: Matthew Lewis)

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Discipline starts at the top in football – so maybe we should not be surprised by Alan Pardew’s ­inexcusable behaviour at Hull.

After all, it’s not just Pardew who has ‘previous’ with the red mist – some of his coaching staff have let the club down in that regard as well.

The gravity of Pardew’s headbutt on David Meyler was reflected in the viewing figures for Match of the Day – which was the most-watched edition of the programme this season, even though Manchester United and Manchester City were not playing.

Careless talk costs reputations, so let’s put some cards on the table. I don’t know Pardew, I have no axes to grind with him and he’s done a good job at Newcastle, so my comments on the incident are ­delivered from a level playing field.

But for a manager of his stature and credentials to get involved in something so disgraceful is ­genuinely shocking.

It is well documented that Pardew has a history of becoming hot tempered on the touchline.

He was the common denominator in ­altercations with Arsene Wenger and Martin O’Neill, in a vulgar volley of abuse aimed at Manuel Pellegrini and when shoving linesman Peter Kirkup 18 months ago.

That last incident earned the Toon boss a two-match ban and £20,000 fine, and at the time he said: “I hold my head in shame.” So where does he go from here?

(Photo: Tony Marshall)

But Pardew’s habit of losing his rag seems to be infectious, because some of his staff have also been involved in spats they probably regret now. His assistant John Carver was sent to the stands at Wigan last year for his reaction to Callum McManaman’s horrible tackle on Massadio Haidara.

Goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman was sent from the dugout three months ago for his part in a free-for-all between the two benches in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.

And reserve coach Willie Donachie resigned last month after an allegation he had hit one of his own players. So, there is a culture of poor conduct at Newcastle – and it should have been nipped in the bud by now.

The club ­obviously rate Pardew very highly. In most other workplaces, any manager or senior executive who dispenses summary justice with a ­headbutt would be fired on the spot, but Newcastle felt a £100,000 fine and formal warning was sufficient.

But irrespective of how the FA deal with Pardew, I stand by every word I said on Match of the Day.

In an earlier column this season, I warned that managers who set a poor example have little cause for complaint when their players’ discipline falls apart.

Gallery: Alan Pardew headbutts David Meyler

Before he parted company with ­Blackpool, Paul Ince was involved in an unsavoury incident in the tunnel at Bournemouth and a few weeks later five of his players were sent off in two games. Look what that has done for Blackpool’s season.

I don’t understand why Pardew put himself in a position which gave his bosses an excuse to get rid of him.

He made no waves in the controversy when Joe Kinnear was brought back and he didn’t kick up a fuss when his best player Yohan Cabaye was sold. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Pardew in a dugout again this season.

I’ve been hammered on Twitter this week by people saying I’m not qualified to lecture about ­disciplinary issues because I was ­supposedly a dirty player. One punter at my local health club even called me a hypocrite to my face.

Hang on a minute, people: I was sent off only once in my career – and that was for handball.